FTA welcomes LLCS decision

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has welcomed the decision of London Council's Transport and Environment Committee to scrap its plans for an update to the London Lorry Control Scheme (LLCS).

Originally, the body had proposed bringing in new rules for all heavy goods vehicles entering the capital to have additional sideguards and class V and VI mirrors installed.

However, this decision has now been reversed, with the committee deciding to cancel the plans.

These measures are already set to come into force under the mayor of London's recent announcement of the rollout of the new Safer Lorry Scheme, which was announced at the end of January.

London Mayor Boris Johnson stated at the time that Transport for London will look at new ways to improve blind spot coverage for larger vehicles taking to the capital's roads.

The announcement came in the wake of several high-profile incidents across the capital earlier this year in which a number of vulnerable road users lost their lives after being struck by heavy goods vehicles.

FTA head of urban logistics and regional policy Christopher Snelling commented: "FTA has always believed that this was the wrong approach anyway, but to have two regulatory regimes in London trying to control the same thing would have been a nonsensical example of unnecessary red tape."

Furthermore, Mr Snelling noted this decision may also have been something of a missed opportunity for the committee to make real and lasting benefits for both safety and efficiency in the capital.

He claimed measures to include the rollout of more out-of-hours deliveries across the capital would be extremely welcome and could easily be implemented as part of LLCS, as well as an examination of outdated legislation that may be holding back the sector from making significant gains.

Posted on 23rd July 2014

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